Introducing the PepsiCo Fellows Program

I was a medical student, in Rome, during the 1980s. At that time, physicians and researchers worldwide were both dismayed and intrigued by the appearance of a novel virus—one that attacked the immune system. Back then, I witnessed the urgent efforts of the public health and medical community to arrest, and ultimately retard, the spread of H.I.V. Like people everywhere, I cheered when novel therapeutic options were introduced and millions of lives were saved.

The emotional roller-coaster ride—comprised of raw fear on the ascent, followed by sheer relief when the crisis wound down—has sadly been repeated multiple times since: SARS in the early 2000s, MERS a decade later, Ebola more recently.

As we now confront COVID-19, my faith in science—and the inexhaustible determination of scientists to apply their knowledge to advance human progress—is unyielding.

Of course, the cure never comes soon enough, as people who lost loved ones during previous epidemics and this contemporary pandemic know all too well. But breakthroughs invariably come. And when they do, I’m reminded why I wanted to spend my life in the company of brilliant scientists throughout my professional life. And why I’m likewise humbled to be a member of their ranks.

At PepsiCo those ranks also include about 2,000 scientists and technical experts in Research & Development. While our focus is on food-and-beverage-related research, we are likewise focused on many of the most stubborn—and seemingly intractable—high stakes problems confronting the food system. Today, as we strive to better understand the physiological impact of what and how we eat, eat to live longer and better, and grow and ship food more sustainably, the demands on food scientists have increased exponentially. Inside PepsiCo, our R&D team includes engineers chemists and food scientists who have for decades played a vital role in food production together with experts in such diverse fields as medicine, water management, physiology, agronomy, sensory, genomics, epidemiology, computational analysis, nutrition science, advanced materials, sport science and many other disciplines.

In 2012, we launched the “R&D Fellows Program.” It was modeled after similar programs at universities and other institutions to encourage our most accomplished scientists to conduct and champion visionary research designed to benefit consumers and society. PepsiCo’s R&D Fellows are admitted into the program only after a rigorous nominations and vetting program. The candidates accepted into the program have, over the course of their careers, acquired unrivaled subject expertise, established a solid track record of innovation achievement and business impact, earned the respect of R&D colleagues inside and outside PepsiCo, and committed themselves to developing others. Inside PepsiCo, the fellows serve as strategists and forecasters to senior leaders of the company. They see around corners—either identifying or actually creating future food and beverage industry trends. And as coaches, mentors, and instructors to junior and technical associates, they’re working to build an open, creative PepsiCo R&D culture that unleashes innovation. Outside the company, they serve as company representatives and ambassadors at high-visibility scientific events worldwide—from prestigious think tanks to boards to academic conferences to professional organizations—where they often exchange research insights with peers.

As the executive sponsor of the program, over the next few months it will be my privilege to introduce to you our Fellows and their work. It’s my hope that readers like you will be as inspired by their efforts to advance and protect the global food system that surrounds us as I am.

Those of us already onboard inside PepsiCo R&D recognize that it is both a privilege and responsibility to create safe, healthy foods and beverages that enhance and sustain the lives of consumers worldwide. I’m convinced this series will illustrate how exciting a career as a scientist in PepsiCo can be. We are always looking for bright scientific and technical minds who want to join our organization. #PepsiCoProud #PepsiCoLife #PepsiCoRDFellows

Learn more at the R&D Fellows’ new dedicated Linked In page.